The Citizen staff report

The county's Public Works committee voted 5-1 against naming the entrance of Emerson Park Thommie Walsh Drive despite not having the item on its agenda Tuesday.

Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Peter Tortorici said the issue was not on the agenda because it was brought up during a discussion in the meeting and that the committee decided to vote on the item since the public has already had ample time to voice its opinion.

"This has always been about the location," Tortorici said. "I think the Legislature would support a tribute to Thommie Walsh if it were inside the park."

Clerk of the Cayuga County Legislature Mary Jones said the committee had the option to bring up the issue at any time because it had been tabled at a previous meeting.

A group of supporters had asked the county for permission to place a road sign in honor of Walsh, an Auburn native who had a distinguished career in performing arts, including winning two Tony Awards. Walsh died in 2007.

Legislator Daniel Sincebaugh was for naming the entrance after Walsh while legislators Francis Mitchell, Roger Mills, Raymond Lockwood, Steven Cuddeback and David Axton voted against it, Jones said.